LAHORE: After former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s criticism of the military establishment for its alleged involvement in politics, the Chaudhrys of Gujrat who have apparently been soft on their arch rivals in Punjab for quiet some time, are taking the PML-N supremo head on.

Hostilities between the PML-Q and PML-N leadership started easing after Prime Minister Imran Khan started cold shouldering the Chaudhrys in governance matters in the Centre.

PML-Q President Shujaat Hussain issued a statement on Monday wherein he recalled Nawaz-army confrontation in past. On Tuesday, Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi came up with a rather harsh statement.

“Nawaz Sharif is following in the footsteps of former MQM chief Altaf Hussain and he may meet his fate. The army is guarantor of security and stability of Pakistan. The news leaks’ team of Nawaz Sharif has taken over the PML-N. By opposing this constitutional institution, Nawaz Sharif has committed a violation of the Constitution which is regrettable and also condemnable,” Mr Elahi said in a statement.

Mr Elahi said “Nawaz Sharif should not do every work which Altaf Hussain did. By following in the footsteps of Altaf Hussain, he should keep in mind his end (from politics). Today Altaf Hussain has become a story of the past in national politics.”

He said just a few days back the army chief, on sensing dangerous designs of India, had ordered the forces to accelerate their war preparations.

“By making an announcement of war against his own army is the worst example of Nawaz Sharif’s anti-state activity,” he said.

Mr Elahi said the Indian media had welcomed Nawaz Sharif ‘s anti-army statement and it proved that he was playing in the hands of India even today like in the past.

“Nawaz Sharif should remember when Kashmiris were martyred he was changing turbans with Narendra Modi and sending sarees to his family while the army was offering sacrifices on the Control Line,” he lamented.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2020